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Corporate Governance & Administration

Advanced Diploma Programme in Corporate Secretaryship and Governance
企業秘書及管治高等文憑課程

Course No. : 242-640700-01|Start Date : 20/05/2024

Admission Requirements

Applicant must:
1. hold a Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) with 5 subjects of Level 2/ Grade E or above, including English and Mathematics, or equivalent and with at least 2 years of relevant working experience; OR
2. hold a Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with 5 subjects of Level 2 or above, including English and Mathematics, or equivalent, and with at least 1 year of relevant working experience; OR
3. be a mature student aged 21 or above with at least 3 years of relevant working experience.

Remarks : Those who do not meet the minimum requirements but have ample related working experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Language Used

Classes will be conducted in Cantonese, supplemented with English. Learning materials and assessments will be in English.

Total Hours

264 hours

Session

9 Modules in total

Place

Central Learning Centre

Start Date

20/05/2024

Schedule

Monday & Wednesday

Time

7:00p.m. - 10:00p.m.

(The School reserves the right to alter the time and place of class due to unforeseen circumstances.)

Application Fee

HK$150 (Non-refundable and non-transferable)

Tuition Fee

Tuition fee: HK$40,200 (will be paid in 2 installments)

1st installment: HKD$ 20,100 (pay with application for enrollment submission)
2nd installment: HKD$20,100 (pay before the commencement of the 5th Module)

Level

Advanced Diploma / Professional Diploma

QF Level

4

QR Registration No.

13/000260/L4

QR Registration Validity Period

24/04/2013 - Ongoing

Course Enquiries

3943 91272603 6565[JavaScript encoded]

Enrolment Enquiries

2209 0290

Closing Date for Application

Limited seat available, please apply as soon as possible.

COMMENCED

1
Introduction

Corporate governance and company secretaryship have played a more and more important role in corporate management in the past decade. Company secretaries are high ranking professionals well-trained to uphold the standard of corporate governance, and to achieve the overall operation, compliance and administration efficiency of a company. Nowadays, the work of company secretary is commonly found in firms of all sizes, for-profit or not-for-profit, and listed or unlisted.


The programme meets the employment market needs to nurture and equip participants with the professional knowledge on corporate governance, and the practical knowledge and skills required to work as a company secretary. With the training in business communication skills, business management, laws, regulations, business ethics, accounting, taxation and financial management, participants will be enabled to apply the knowledge and skills in business management and administration to the workplace, and to make sound suggestions to the management and board of directors on how to achieve the operation and overall efficiency of a company.

2
Continuing Education Fund (CEF)

This course has been included in the list of reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund.

This course is recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF Level 4).

Course Code: 33F121019

For enquiry about the reimbursement of Continuing Education Fund (CEF), please contact the office of CEF at 3142 2277 or visit the website via https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/cef/tc/index.htm for details.

3
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this programme, students will be able to:

1. identify and differentiate the roles, functions and duties between a secretary and a company secretary and perform the relevant duties;
2. identify administrative and legal problems facing a company, and outline possible solutions by using the professional knowledge on administration, accounting, finance, governance and laws;
3. explain the legal requirements and disseminate information to shareholders, regulatory bodies, employees and external organisations on behalf of a company
4. apply the theories of corporate governance to uphold the governance standard of a company;
5. take a proactive and preventive approach in advising the board of directors; and
6. keep abreast of current changes in the business environment.

4
Programme Structure

The Programme comprises of 9 modules with a total of 264 contact hours. Students may normally complete the programme in 16 -18 months on part-time basis.


Module 1 - Effective Business Communication (16.5 hours)

This module introduces the business correspondence, notices, memorandum, minutes and report writing, as well as the use of English. It empowers participants’ capabilities to prepare different types of business correspondence and to use appropriate grammar and vocabulary in business writing from a company secretary’s perspective.


Module 2 - Corporate Secretarial Practice I (16.5 hours)

This module provides participants with the fundamental understanding and knowledge of the roles and functions of company administration. It develops participants’ competence in adopting good administrative practices and using information of various sources to facilitate the operation of a company. The composition of company, company meetings and the roles and responsibilities of a secretary, a company secretary, directors and auditors will be introduced.


Module 3 - Business Management and Administration (33 hours)

This module introduces participants to business management and administration. It provides participants with the managerial and administrative knowledge and skills of an administrator in a rapidly changing and knowledge-based economy. Basic knowledge on business organisation, accounting and finance, human resources management, operations management and business strategy will be covered.


Module 4 - Financial Accounting (33 hours)

This module introduces the theories and skills necessary for a company secretary to prepare corporate reporting in compliance with legal and stakeholders’ requirements. Participants will be equipped with the principles, concepts and regulations relating to financial accounting and the technical proficiency of double-entry accounting technique. It also enables participants to interpret and use the accounting information presented in financial reports for analysis of a company’s performance.


Module 5 - Business and Corporate Law (33 hours)

This module provides participants with the knowledge of legal framework for business and the sources and principal provisions of business and corporate laws in the constitution, formation and performance of a business entity. Laws relating to employment, financing, and management of a company will be introduced.


Module 6 - Hong Kong Taxation (33 hours)

This module provides participants with the knowledge on tax systems, provisions and legislations for companies, partnerships and individuals in HKSAR. Personal assessment and tax administration will also be covered.


Module 7 - Corporate Secretarial Practice II (33 hours)

This module introduces the roles, functions and duties of a company secretary in a limited company or corporation. Participants will be able to apply the knowledge and skills to perform corporate secretarial functions in an organisation or listed company. The rules governing the listing on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong will be covered.


Module 8 - Ethics and Corporate Governance (33 hours)

This module provides participants with the concepts of corporate governance in Hong Kong. It illustrates the necessary knowledge and concepts for a company secretary to act as an adviser to the board on best practices in corporate governance. It also introduces the key principles and elements of business ethics and discusses the issue of ethical conflict.


Module 9 - Corporate Financial Management (33 hours)

This module provides participants with a solid foundation in the areas of financial planning, management of working capital, financial analysis and investment evaluation. It facilitates the evaluation of investment projects and the determination of the cost of different forms of finance, the management of a company’s working capital and the setting of long-term policies on financial investment. The financial ratios, dividend policies, costs of capital, share valuation, risk management and corporate restructuring will also be covered.

5
Assessment Method and Award

Performance of participants is monitored and assessed on a continuous basis through assessment tools such as class participation, assignments, tests and examination.


To qualify for the award of Advanced Diploma in Corporate Secretaryship and Governance by CUSCS, participants must:

(a) have successfully completed all the required modules and passed the assessment by getting a pass mark of 50%; and
(b) have an attendance rate of at least 70% for each module.

6
Professional Instructors

Ms. Anna Leung
Ms. Anna Leung is a Chartered Secretary and Chartered Governance Professional of The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (HKCGI) and The Chartered Governance Institute. She obtained these qualifications through public qualifying programme examinations. Ms. Leung has a Master’s Degree in Corporate Governance and Directorship and has been a member of The Hong Kong Institute of Directors.
Ms. Leung has actively participated in the HKCGI’s affairs including being the mentor and Chief Examiner for HKCGI’s International Qualifying Scheme Examination in the subject of Corporate Secretaryship. Duties included drafting, finalizing the examination paper and marking the answer scripts together with providing professional advice for the examination.
Ms. Leung has been the Company Secretary, Consultant and Director in various professional, private and listed organizations. She has extensive commercial experience in corporate governance, company secretaryship and corporate restructure.
She also has substantial experience in teaching courses on company secretaryship, corporate governance and management for various tertiary institutes. Her students come from different backgrounds, including day time tertiary institutes’ students, fresh graduates, experienced working adults, professionals such as certified public accountants, senior management of NGO and directors of listed companies.

Ms. Pauline Wong
Ms. Wong holds professional qualifications in the fields of corporate governance, accounting, corporate secretarial services, a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and a Master's Degree in Corporate Governance from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. As a Fellow Certified Public Accountant (FCPA) and a Chartered Secretary (ACG, ACS), Ms. Wong has held key positions in a number of listed companies and has extensive managerial and executive experience in financial reporting, company restructuring and corporate secretarial matters. Ms. Wong is currently a Corporate Secretary Director of a securities company which is a participant of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. She is also actively involved in teaching courses on financial accounting and Hong Kong tax law.

7
“Recruit” Interview

"企業秘書 變身公司管理人" (來源自: Recruit)


一般秘書(personal secretary)通常是公司老闆或管理層的私人助理,負責協助處理日常事務;企業秘書(corporate/company secretary)則是由董事會任命的高級行政職位,在公司內擔任管理角色,須定期向董事會主席或行政總裁匯報。香港中文大學專業進修學院副院長及課程總監(專業及持續教育)麥敬堂博士表示:「企業秘書職責包括維護法規所要求的行政事務、協助組織董事會和股東大會、處理公司記錄和檔案、協助制定政策程序等。」

麥博士稱,企業秘書需掌握廣泛知識和技能,以支援公司的行政管理,並參與財務、會計、稅務、人事、法律及企業管治工作,故此須具備會計財務及法律知識、靈活溝通技巧,並能撰寫專業文件。「對企業管理工作有興趣或想獲取專業技能人士,應爭取機會進修。我們亦開辦很受業界歡迎的數碼化和ESG課程,讓企業秘書能與時並進,掌握新興技能。」

他又指,香港一直十分渴求企業秘書人才。「由於上市公司須聘請至少1位公司秘書,加上公司治理和法律合規的要求增加,企業對企業秘書的需求亦不斷遞增。入行若從助理企業秘書做起,可晉升為初級、高級企業秘書,以至公司秘書部主管或總監,甚或可晉升為首席營運官或首席執行官。另若持有相關學士學位,可考取『香港公司治理公會』(HKCGI)會員資格。」

課程介紹
香港中文大學專業進修學院開辦「企業秘書及管治高等文憑」,課程資歷備受廣泛認可及業界重視,教學團隊具深厚學術資歷和實務經驗,包括有逾20年豐富經驗的上市公司管理層、資深企業秘書、律師、會計師等。如想深入認識此專業或有意入行人士,可作為入門修讀,再視資歷與工作經驗應徵相關職位,如助理或初級公司秘書等,並持續進修,裝備自己,以配合未來職涯發展。課程獲認可為資歷架構第四級,並已加入持續進修基金可獲發還款項課程名單。

8
Student Testimonials - What our Students are Saying?

√ The programme is comprehensive and practical, covering subjects for the professional qualification of the The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (HKCGI).


√ The knowledgeable and dedicated instructors provided detailed explanations and practical examples related to the roles and responsibilities of company secretaries and corporate governance practices.


√ The rich content of this programme inspired me to pursue a career as a company secretary.


√ Through this course of study, I have successfully transited into a professionally qualified Chartered Secretary and continue to develop in the field of corporate secretaryship.

9
Application Procedures

Option A) Online Enrollment

For online enrollment, please complete your application online. After completing the online enrollment, please send the following documents to scs-bus@cuhk.edu.hk:

1. Photocopies of your academic qualifications (transcript and certificate)*.

2. Photocopies of proof of working experience, if applicable (i.e. reference letter or employment letter)*.


Option B) Paper Form

For enrollment using a paper form, please submit the following documents:

1. A duly completed "Enrolment Form for Certificate and Diploma/Professional Programmes";

2. Photocopies of academic qualifications (i.e. transcript & certificate)*;

3. Photocopies of proof of working experience, if applicable (i.e. reference letter or employment letter)*;

4. Application Fee of $150 (please refer to "Part B- Methods of Payment" listed in the Enrollment Form).

Please complete the enrolment form and send copies of supporting documents and cheque/bank draft/payment record of Faster Payment System (FPS)/bank receipt (if any) to one of the Enrolment Centres in person or by mail.

For mailing, please mark the envelope with the following attention line and address:


Attention: Business & Management Programmes Team (Application of Advanced Diploma Programme in Corporate Secretaryship and Governance) 6/F, Railway Plaza, 39 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.


Applications will be processed only upon receipt of the completed enrolment form, copies of supporting documents (if specified) and payment. Admission will be granted on a first-come-first-served basis for qualified applicants.

10
Exemption Policy

Exemptions may be granted for a module at the discretion of our School if the applicant has successfully completed a module of equivalent content and standard at a recognized tertiary institution or through a professional examination. Exemption is normally granted at a maximum of 50% of the total number of modules. The application fee is HK$500 per module (an administrative fee of HK$200 included).


For those who would like to apply for course exemption, please submit "Application Form for Course Exemption or Advanced Standing" and supporting documents (i.e. full syllabus and transcripts) for exemption evaluation, if applicable. Application for Course Exemption must be applied before the commencement of the programme. Late application will not be accepted. The application fee with the deduction of an administrative fee shall be refunded to the applicant for any unsuccessful application. The final decision with regard to exemption rests with the School.

11
Disclaimer

In case of any discrepancy between the English version and the Chinese version, the English version shall prevail.